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Hello Internet World, this is my first post on this Forum. I've just wasted an entire afternoon at work reading through this forum and was really hoping to not have to start my own thread. Oh well, here you go (this could get long).

I sold my 8yr old Toro a few weeks ago at a garage sale - was kind of an impulse sale. So I'm on the market for another Push Mower. I really liked my old Toro but a lot people have told me Honda is the 'best'. I did a few days research and went to HD this Saturday to buy. I went with the always popular "whatever is the most expensive must be the best" thought process and purchased the Honda HRX217HYA with Cruise Control. Once home, it was running in no time, then in 45 minutes I was on the phone with HD asking if I could return it.

Here's the thing, this mower is FANTASTIC! Runs like a dream and cuts clean as well. It was just TOO MUCH mower for my type of yard. This mower is a thoroughbred and wants to run... I've got a yard with lots of stops and starts and turns around trees/mulch beds. I was constantly having to slow it down via the lever on the handle and it was just a pain in the ***. So HD actually let me return it for a full refund even though it was obviously used once ( I was pretty surprised they let me do that especially because when they asked me what was wrong with it I said "It's just too much mower for me").

After reading through this Forum I know most people are generally loyal to one brand of mower - that's fine. I'm just asking for some advice - even if you have maybe posted this same advice on 58 other threads already.

I'm now looking at the Honda HRR216K9VYA with the paddle shift technology. The one private Honda dealer near me wouldn't let me start one up to try out the paddle, but it did seem pretty comfortable to push around the lot. I'm also considering the Toro 20381. The Toro dealer was kind enough to put some gas in that model and I mowed the parking lot for 5 minutes. The Toro Personal Pace system worked better than I anticipated but it does feel kind of cheap and plastic.

So I really think it boils down to one thing for me...

When I cut my front yard with the HRX I found it did not WANT to go backwards. The way my yard is set up, I need to be able to move forwards and backwards. My old Toro was great with this. The Toro 20381 I tested pulled back with ease. What about the Honda HRR, will the back wheels disengage when the paddle is let go?

I think if someone can ease my fears that the Honda is relatively easy to pull back I'd go with the Honda. I can also get and HRX mower w/ the paddle shift but I don't know if the better deck is worth the extra $$$.

If anyone can help me and just put me out of my misery I'd really appreciate it. I just want to buy my next mower and be done with it...

HRR W/ Paddle Shift?
HRX W/ Paddle Shift?
Toro 20381?

...Oh, and should I even consider Husqvarna??? LOL

I'm a Toro guy and the Toro personal pace cast deck will not look or feel cheap or plastic. You will not be disappointed in how it works or how your lawn will look when you are done cutting. $$$ difference is also a plus. This discussion Toro vs Honda has come up before and you will hear both sides. I do have one request, it is that you purchase from a dealer and not from a big box store, which ever unit you decide to purchase. This discussion has come up many times also, but most feel that a dealer will not cost you more and give you service down the road. Believe it or not, you will come out better going to a dealer.

Rivets said:

I do have one request, it is that you purchase from a dealer and not from a big box store, which ever unit you decide to purchase. This discussion has come up many times also, but most feel that a dealer will not cost you more and give you service down the road. Believe it or not, you will come out better going to a dealer.

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I decided that today. The Customer Service I received from the Toro dealer was great. Thanks for the advice.

Any Honda people have any input?

golphan said:

Any Honda people have any input?

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Here I am...a Honda person! :biggrin: I knew you would be happy with the HRX217HYA, but it is unfortunate it is "too much mower for your yard". I would go with another Honda, but specifically the Honda HRX. Yes, it is a little more expensive, but I LOVE the NeXite deck that repels a lot of the grass. Also, the HRX has the GCV190 engine, which is a lot more powerful than the 160cc engine on the HRR mowers. But I do think you would be satisfied with a Honda HRR.

Thanks LMF. Do the 30cc's in the HRX make that big of a difference? I've got about .3 acres I'm mowing and a 60% of the yard is flat.

So you're a Honda guy...have you heard anything good/bad about the Husqvarna AWD model that came out this year?

golphan said:

Thanks LMF. Do the 30cc's in the HRX make that big of a difference? I've got about .3 acres I'm mowing and a 60% of the yard is flat.

So you're a Honda guy...have you heard anything good/bad about the Husqvarna AWD model that came out this year?

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You'd be surprised how big of a difference 30 cc's makes! The Husqvarna AWD seems like a really nice mower, but since it is so new there are not many people who have experiences with it.